Cover With the release of RM, V, Jimin, Jungkook and Suga from the military this June 2025, K-pop phenomenon BTS returns to the global music scene. (Photo: Big Hit Entertainment / AMA2020 / Getty Images)
With the release of RM, V, Jimin, Jungkook and Suga from the military this June 2025, K-pop phenomenon BTS returns to the global music scene. (Photo: Big Hit Entertainment / AMA2020 / Getty Images)
1 / 1
Military service was not a period of silence for BTS. Instead, it showcased how each member kept their connection with fans alive
The wait is almost over: BTS is on the verge of their complete reunion. With Jin and J-Hope already back in civilian life, and the remaining five members set to discharge this month—RM and V on June 10, Jimin and Jungkook on June 11 and Suga on June 21—the K-pop phenomenon is preparing for their highly anticipated return to the global scene. But their military service wasn’t a period of silence. It was a brilliant example of how to stay connected with fans. Even in uniform, each member kept their creative pulse alive, releasing smart, strategic content that never let audiences feel their absence.
Here’s what the popular septet accomplished during and after their service.
In case you missed it: The real side of K-pop idols, captured in these must-watch YouTube series
Jin (Kim Seokjin)
Above Jin’s solo music journey continued to flourish post-service with ‘Happy’ and ‘Echo’. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
Jin’s solo music journey continued to flourish post-service with ‘Happy’ and ‘Echo’. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
1 / 1
Jin led the way, enlisting first in December 2022 and serving with distinction as an assistant drill instructor in the 5th Infantry Division. His discharge on June 12, 2024, marked not just personal freedom but the beginning of BTS’s gradual return, with all six remaining members greeting him at the gates.
The eldest hyung didn’t waste time reconnecting with ARMY either. He made good on his promise at the 2024 BTS FESTA, hugging 1,000 fans in his “Jin’s Greetings” event. His solo music journey, meanwhile, continued flourishing post-service with EP Happy featuring “Running Wild” (which peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100), followed by Echo in May 2025, where the title track “Don’t Say You Love Me” topped Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart.
Beyond K-pop, Jin also pursued entertainment, hosting Run Jin on YouTube (where he notably interviewed Tom Cruise) and showing his variety show talents as part of Kian’s Bizarre B&B on Netflix.
J-Hope (Jung Hoseok)
Above J-Hope’s ‘Hope on the Street Vol 1’ debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
J-Hope’s ‘Hope on the Street Vol 1’ debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
1 / 1
J-Hope returned in October 2024 after exemplary service as an assistant drill instructor in the 36th Infantry Division, earning the prestigious Special Class (Elite) Warrior title.
But Hobi’s true genius lay in his strategic content release—Hope on the Street Vol 1 dropped during his service, debuting at number 5 on the Billboard 200. The accompanying six-part docuseries offered a candid look at his dance roots, striking a chord with global fans.
His immediate post-discharge momentum continues with the Hope on the Stage world tour launching in February 2025, while the recent single “Killin’ It Girl” featuring GloRilla showcases his evolving artistic palette.
RM (Kim Namjoon)
Above The leader of BTS premiered his documentary ‘RM: Right People, Wrong Place’ at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
The leader of BTS premiered his documentary ‘RM: Right People, Wrong Place’ at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
1 / 1
BTS’s eloquent leader will be discharged on June 10, 2025, after serving in the 15th Infantry Division’s military band, a role that merged his artistic identity with national service. His mid-service album Right Place, Wrong Person showcased RM’s remarkable vulnerability, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard 200, with its alternative soundscape exploring themes of alienation and self-discovery.
His documentary RM: Right People, Wrong Place premiered at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival, while his performance of “Spring Day” with military bandmates at the 2024 Family Love Concert became a standout moment, connecting his BTS legacy with his military service.
V (Kim Taehyung)
Above V’s jazz-influenced ‘Layover’ album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
V’s jazz-influenced ‘Layover’ album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
1 / 1
Perhaps the most intriguing service story belongs to V, who chose the elite Special Duty Team of ROK Military Police, an anti-terrorism unit requiring exceptional physical and mental fortitude. Graduating as an elite trainee while simultaneously releasing the jazz-influenced Layover album (which sold over 2.2 million copies and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200) showcases his remarkable duality.
His digital single “FRI(END)S”, released in March 2024, became a cultural phenomenon, while the mysterious still-to-be-released Rêve project announced in January 2025 has fans speculating wildly. His choice of demanding military service while maintaining artistic output demonstrates the complexity of his identity: equally comfortable in combat training and creating soulful R&B.
Jimin (Park Jimin)
Above Jimin is the first Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Like Crazy’. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
Jimin is the first Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Like Crazy’. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
1 / 1
Jimin’s historic achievement as the first Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with “Like Crazy” occurred just before his December 2023 enlistment alongside Jungkook via the companion soldiers system.
His strategic dual-album approach—Face and Muse—provided substantial content for fans throughout his service. “Who” from Muse spent an unprecedented 33 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, setting new K-pop records. His pre-recorded Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon performance, aired during his military service, shows how idols can maximise content impact.
In January 2025, Jimin penned a heartfelt Weverse letter sharing his military experiences and candid thoughts about returning to performing.
Jungkook (Jeon Jungkook)
Above The ‘Jung Kook: I Am Still The Original’ documentary series featured intimate behind-the-scenes content. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
The ‘Jung Kook: I Am Still The Original’ documentary series featured intimate behind-the-scenes content. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
1 / 1
The golden maknae’s service as a military cook alongside Jimin has provided endless content, with his “I’m cooking well” Weverse updates delighting fans worldwide. His pre-enlistment Golden album strategy was masterful—the all-English pop record with “Seven” hitting number 1 on Billboard Hot 100 established him as a global solo artist.
His Jung Kook: I Am Still The Original documentary series featured intimate behind-the-scenes content, while his fan song “Never Let Go”, released during service, maintained that crucial connection with fans. His February 2025 letter expressing constant thoughts about ARMY demonstrates how military service, rather than creating distance, can deepen artist-fan relationships.
Suga (Min Yoongi)
Above ‘Suga | Agust D D-Day The Movie’ showcased the artistic depth of Suga’s performances. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
‘Suga | Agust D D-Day The Movie’ showcased the artistic depth of Suga’s performances. (Photo: bts.bighitofficial / Instagram)
1 / 1
Suga, the final BTS member to return, will complete his alternative service as a social service agent on June 21, 2025. His strategic pre-enlistment content release was particularly savvy: Suga’s album D-Day peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, while his highly successful world tour spanned 28 shows, from New York City to Seoul.
The Agust D persona reached full cinematic glory with Suga | Agust D D-Day The Movie, which showcased the artistic depth of his performances. Meanwhile, his Suchwita talk show, with pre-recorded episodes maintaining his presence, demonstrates how K-pop idols can sustain relationships with fans even during physical absence.
Topics
After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
